Route 71 to be resurfaced in Monmouth County
Lane closures will be restricted during summer months on important shore route
(Trenton) - NJDOT has started a major roadway resurfacing project to improve two deteriorated sections of Route 71 through more than a dozen towns in eastern Monmouth County, officials announced today.
The $9.2 million project will address nearly 12 miles of deteriorated highway at the following locations along Route 71 in both directions:
• An approximately 5.8-mile stretch of Route 71 from Sea Girt Avenue (milepost 1.7) in Sea Girt through Spring Lake Heights, Wall, Belmar, Avon-by-the-Sea and Bradley Beach to just south of Stockton Avenue (milepost 7.5) in Ocean Grove (Neptune Township).
• An approximately 6.2-mile stretch of Route 71 from just north of Darlington Road (milepost 10.5) in Deal through Ocean Township, Long Branch, West Long Branch and Oceanport to the northern terminus of the highway at Route 35 (milepost 16.7) in Eatontown.
NJDOT’s contractor, Stavola Contracting Co., began preliminary operations last week for the project including construction mobilization, utility relocation and sign and image detection camera installation.
Within the next few days, the contractor is scheduled to begin joint-sealing operations and curb reconstruction on Route 71. Following that, major resurfacing operations will begin in Sea Girt with the contractor working northward.
Route 71 carries one travel lane in each direction with outside shoulders of varying width through the project limits. NJDOT will maintain one lane in each direction during daytime hours, with traffic shifts utilizing the existing shoulders. Resurfacing operations will require overnight single lane closures on Route 71 with alternating traffic patterns between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following day. During the summer months, from May 15 through September 15, construction restrictions will be in place prohibiting any lane closures.
“Route 71 carries high volumes of summer traffic to many popular shore destinations, helping drive the area’s economy,” said Transportation Commissioner James Simpson. “Keeping all lanes of Route 71 open during the busy summer months will ensure that this project does not negatively impact motorists or businesses during the important tourist season.”
New image detection cameras will be installed at certain intersections to replace the existing, underground loop detectors. These cameras are linked to traffic signals and help maximize the capacity of the highway by detecting vehicles waiting to enter or cross Route 71 and activate a signal sequence.
Upgraded curbing, ADA-compliant curb ramps, roadway striping and guide rail will also be provided throughout the project limits. The project, designed in-house by NJDOT engineers, is scheduled for completion in late-spring 2013.
NJDOT is coordinating the construction with NJ TRANSIT which operates numerous bus lines along Route 71.
The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are also encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website for construction updates and real-time travel information.
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